Curtis football tabbed No. 6 program in the country

Raekwon James has Curtis pointed toward another state title. (Brett Duke / The Times-Picayune)

Maxpreps is counting down its top football programs in the nation, and local powerhouse John Curtis checks in at No. 6 on the list.

The inclusion, given what the Patriots are bringing back in 2012 from their 14-0 state championship squad, is not a surprise. In addition to highly recruited Duke Riley at linebacker and a deep stable of quick, experienced runners on offense (Sherman Badie and Raekwon James being two of the standouts), the team returns its top two quarterbacks, three-fifths of a dominant offensive line (including Tulane commit Brandon Godfrey), and a talented secondary full of potential collegiate players.

Some of the biggest losses from '11 include Torey Bell and Dillon Gordon.